The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is committed to ensuring that the Early Learning and Development Programs throughout the state are of the highest quality through an ongoing program of oversight, assessment, evaluation and research. We believe that all early childhood programs should strive to meet the Early Learning Program Standards. The standards were adopted by the Missouri State Board of Education in September 2011, to help ensure high-quality experiences for young children from birth to kindergarten entry. High-quality early learning experiences will not only prepare children to succeed in school, but also in life.

Early Learning Program Standards
1. Needs Assessment
2. Qualifications for Staff
3. Professional Development
4. Staff Evaluation
5. Curriculum and Assessment
6. Interaction, Instruction and Learning Environments
7. Health, Safety and Nutrition
8. Child/Adult Ratio
9. Program Evaluation
10. Partnerships and Collaborations

View the Early Learning Program Standards in their entirety.